Wash. tries to connect health care, rock 'n' roll

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SEATTLE (AP) — The people who run Washington's new health care exchange are hoping rock 'n' roll will inspire more young people to sign up for insurance.

On Wednesday, they announced a partnership with a major concert producer to publicize the value of health insurance at rock concerts including the popular Sasquatch Music Festival.

Young adults from 18 to 34 made up only 21 percent of the people who signed up for private insurance through the new system between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31.

Insurance experts say the state and the nation need more youth to buy insurance to control the cost of insurance premiums. That's because health care gets more expensive as people age, so young healthy people help share the cost and keep premiums lower for everybody.

The agreement between Washington Healthplanfinder and Live Nation will include a sweepstakes for concert tickets.